Automatic train pipe coupling



Feb. 9, 1932. .1. ROBINSON ,AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE coUPLING fbiigual Filed sept. 27, 192s In/vauro@ Patented Feb. 9, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH ROBINSON, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUIOJSLIATIC` TRAIN' PIPE COUPLING Application led September 27, 1928, Serial 110,308,640. Renewed J' une 29, `1931.

This application is a continuation in art of my application, Serial No. 481,967, ed July 1, 1921, now Patentk No. 1,709,156.

The invention relates to automatic train pipe couplings and particularly to that type in which a spring is threaded through the supporting `bracket to permit adjustment of the coupling head toward or from the bracket.` It has been found difficult and expensive to thread the bracket so as to adjustably receive the spring, this because the dimensions of both the bracket casting and the spring vary considerably in process of manufacture. High production, and hence economic production, of these parts can be had only by eliminating the need for hand fitting them. Itis the object of the present invention to attain this advantage.

The invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and constructions hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an auto-v matic coupler having my present improvement applied thereto;

F igurev 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Having reference to the drawings, my improvement comprises a bracket A having` a chamber or opening 5 in its lower end in which is adjustably mounted the rear end of a coiled spring B, the front end of which bears against a lange on a portion 15 eX- tending rearwardly from the coupling head C. A rod 17 is also connected to the head and extends rearwardly through said spring and through said chamber, the rear end of said rod 17 being threaded to receive a nut 18 adapted to bear against a plate 2O shaped to properly tit and receive the rear end coil of the spring and a handle 19 is secured to the nut for the purpose'of rotating the same.

The spring extends through the opening or chamber 5 and for a short distance to the rear 5 of the bracket A, the bracket being provided at one side with a laterally extending e1ongated perforated portion `23 through which is passed a T-shaped anchor device D comprising a clamping head 24 and a stem 25. The head 24 is provided with grooves or recesses 26 adapted to receive one or more of the coils 55 of the spring B. The stem extends across the opening in the chamber 5 and between the coils of the spring B. At the opposite side of the chamber 5, the stem 25 passes through a sleeve 27 formed integral with the chamber 60 5. A washer or abutment 28 is rigidly connected with the stem 25, and between it and' the bottom of the sleeve 27 a coiled spring 29 is placed; A nut 30 having a weighted handle 31 is threaded to the outer end of the stem 65 25 and serves to draw the anchor device D or its head 24 into tight engagement with the spring B and force the spring firmly against the side of the chamber 5 opposite the elongated portion 23. Contact between the head 24 of the anchor device D and the inner walls of thechamber 5 firmly locks the spring B against longitudinal or rotary movement in the chamber 5, as shown particularly in Fig.

2. The stem 25 is provided with a slot or 75 opening 25a through which the rod 17 eX- tends and which slot permits movement of the stem relative to the rod. V'Vhen it is desired to adjust the spring B, the nut 8O is relieved lby rotating it through the medium of 8" the handle 31, whereupon the locking device D is urged out of the locked position by the tension of the spring 29, thus releasing the spring B and permitting the same to be ror tated and adjusted in the chamber 5, the 8* spring B being caused to move forward or backward in the chamber 5 upon such rotation, inasmuch as the coils of the spring are in effect threadingly connected with the locking device D through the medium of the head 24 and the grooves 26 formed therein. lThe reverse of this operation firmly locks the spring in the service position.

The foregoing arrangement therefore constitutes a simple and effective means by which the head supporting spring may be adjusted to and locked in any desired position in the bracket, thus enabling the position of the head C to be changed relative to the bracket. lo() Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is z l. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a chamber in the lower part thereof, a coupling he-ad in front of said bracket, a coiled spring arranged between said head and bracket and extending into said chamber, an opening in the wall of said chamber, a clamping head arranged in said opening and adapted to engage the spring mounted in said chamber, a member extending from said head transversely across said chamber and means engaging said memberfor drawing said head into tight engagement with saidA spring to prevent movement thereof in said chamber.

2. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a chamber extending through the lower part thereof, a sprinO' projecting into said chamber from the front thereof, a clamping head engaging one side of said spring, a member secured to said clamping head and extending transversely across said chamber and means engaging said member for drawing said head into tight engagement with said spring for holding the same in said chamber.

3, In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination Vof a bracket having a portion adjacent its lower end provided with a longitudinal chamber, a spring arranged in said chamber, said chamber having an opening in the side wall thereof, a clamping head mounted in said opening, a stem secured to said clamping head and extending transversely across said chamber, a coiled spring surrounding said member and serving to force the same in the direction of said clamping head and threaded means engaging the end of said member for drawing said clamping head against said spring to clamp the latter in said chamber.

4. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a portion at its lower end provided with a chamber extending longitudinally thereof, a spring extending through said chamber, a boss formed on one side of said portion of the bracket and a second boss formed on the opposite side of said portion of the bracket, a clamping head arranged in said first named boss and having a stem extending through said chamber and through said second boss, a coiled spring arranged in said second boss for forcing said stem in the direction of said clamping head, said stem extend'n ing beyond said second boss and a nut threaded on said projecting end whereby said clamping head may be drawn against said first named spring to clamp the same in said chamber.

5. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a chamber in the lower part thereof, a coupling head in front of said bracket, a rod secured to said head and extending rearwardly through said chamber, a coil spring arranged between said head and bracket and extending into said chamber, a clamping head arranged in one Wall of said chamber and positioned to engage the spring mounted in said chamber, a member extending from said clamping head across said opening, said member being provided with a slot through which said rod is adapted to pass, and means engaging said member for drawing said clamping head into tight engagement with said spring.

6. In an automatic train pipe connector, a bracket having a ychamber in the lower end thereof, a spring projecting into said chamber from the front thereof, a clamping head engaging one side of said spring, a member secured to said clamping head and extending transversely across said chamber, yieldable means tending to force said clamping head out of contact with said spring, and means engaging said member for drawing said head into tight engagement with said spring for holding the same in said chamber.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JOSEPH ROBINSQN. 

